Having worked with 'Basil' for the last two years people who say he is 'difficult to like' are morons, he is the most knowledgeable man on Rugby League I have ever met, he always makes time for people but doesn't suffer fools gladly so for all those that say he isn't easy to like well.....
I for one hope the rumours are not true but if they are I will wish him well and will miss his knowledge and sense of humour and friendship.

As good as Millward has been for us, I think we have to be realistic that Leyth was only ever going to be a stepping stone for him to get back in to Super League - a man of his talents deserve to be plying his trade at the top level. Dare I say it, it would probably reduce our expenditure somewhat if we hired a lower-paid coach to replace him.

No doubt whatsoever that he will give his undivided attention to the job in hand until the minute if/when he leaves.

Get Kear at Leigh if he goes.

Calland is available (and comes with a FREE self destruct button).








Only joking, thats the last thing need unless you want to undo all your recent good work!



Edit reason :- crap spellin!

Wage bill Jay, wage bill!

Keiron Purtill would be my choice, but I think Paul Rowley would revert back as he is already on contract.

Keirons was the 1 st name that came into my head Fred , will he have to take a step down to move up eventually ?

I would expect Purtill to get a SL job within the next 12-18 months anyway - he seems to be very highly thought of in the higher echelons so it depends on whether he'd want to get some head coach experience before taking a SL job.

wouldnt be a step down though as he would move from assistant at SL level to head coach at Championship surely this is a correct pathway for a young coach to go? can you see Saints having the whatsits to make him head coach if their guy goes back? he may deserve it but that says 'nowt' I know Basil would highly recommend him for the job.

Agree that it is the correct pathway, or at least it should be seen that way, but I half suspect that Saints would want to keep an eye on him so that he could hit the ground running with a squad he's familiar with if given the head coach job?

If he goes, his replacement must be capable of continuing all the work that Ian is currently involved in.

Having seen him in action, and listened to him, he is light years ahead of anyone else we have had in the recent past.

We must not step backwards, in the coaching role, or the work on youth structures.

Also, what might be the players' reaction, should he go? Many have joined because of Ian.

and many would go Alan unfortunately

Well we will see but I do not think Basil will go to Cas. That is because why would he go there ? I do not dislike Cas but there is no more achievable there than here.

Also their beer is crap' well near Wheldon Rd it is.

He is revered here. His wife and kids are Leythers. So why Cas ?

Oh and just in case a Cas fan reads this I do not intend offence.

Doubt he's off to dingle land

Ian is ambitious, will Cas/Wakey allow him to fulfill that ambition?
Ian needs a big club in SL, Leeds would be made for him - he would turn Bradford around even Hull would start to hit potential. Is he earmarked to replace Smith at Wire? All these would be the right move.
He lives in a sponsors house, his wife works in a Leigh bank, both have families in the town and Basil is on good money.
He will probably be concerned whats going to happen with ownership and what budget he has to work with next year but he is in year 2 of 3 contract wise and maybe he needs another 3 year deal to convince him he is at the right place.